Anthony Mackie doesn’t think Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ needs a black director

Anthony Mackie, who has been out promoting Our Brand Is Crisis, explained this week why he doesn’t think Marvel’s Black Panther needs a black director. The film will be Marvel’s first movie centered on a black superhero.

While Mackie is playing Falcon instead of Black Panther in the Marvel movie universe, The Daily Beast asked him if it was important for Black Panther to have a black director. Mackie said that he doesn’t think that’s necessary, joking that Seabiscuit didn’t have a horse directing.

“I don’t think it’s important at all,” Mackie told the Daily Beast. “As a director your job is to tell a story. You know, they didn’t get a horse to direct Seabiscuit!”

Mackie said that he doesn’t think race has anything to do with a director’s skill.

“I think it’s all about the director’s ability to be able to relate to that story and do it justice,” Mackie said. “I think men can direct women, and two of my greatest work experiences were with female directors. So I think it all depends. May the best man—or woman—win.”

Mackie was also in the headlines earlier this week for apparently endorsing Donald Trump. He later called that a "bad attempt at a joke."

Black Panther still doesn’t officially have a director, but the film will be released in February 2018. Chadwick Boseman is starring in the title role and will make his debut as the character in next year’s Captain America: Civil War.

As for Mackie, he can be seen in Our Brand Is Crisis with Sandra Bullock on Oct. 30. He also played Falcon in this year’s Ant-Man and Avengers: Age of Ultron.

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